Page 2 of Sin of Innocence

"I love you too, kiddo," he grinned.

It didn't take long for us to arrive at the stupendous office building. It easily coddled the sky in all its glory. The words‘Emanuel Mariano’were resting just out front in the most professional font, taunting me with naughty memories of the night we spent together.

"Ishegoing to be here?" I asked, pointing to the provoking name. I clamped my thighs together as hope quickly dispersed into my loins. There was nothing I wanted more than to see Emanuel again.

My father nodded his head slowly, chuckling as he moved. "Well, hedoesown the place, Christina."

I didn't realize how foolish of a question it was until I heard the'duh'hidden in my dad's tone. I nudged him playfully with a grin tugging at my lips, leaving him to break out in a stomach-gripping laughter.

“It is not that funny,” I grumbled jokingly. Instead of realizing that I was right, his laughter only tripled. It wasn’t until I left him to drown in a pool of his own laughter that he finally stopped.

We strolled into the building together, my father still letting out a few chuckles every now and then. It was obvious that he was aiming to tease me, and I’d be a liar to say it wasn’t working.

“Hey, Jason!” A voice chirped out. My attention shifted over to the receptionist with a breathtaking smile on her nude-painted lips. The woman looked to be around my father’s age as wisdom coated her hazel eyes. I surveyed everything, including the smile that grew wider as she watched my father walk closer to her.

"Hazel, this is my daughter, Christina. Christina, this is my dear friend, Hazel," he introduced.

I returned her kind smile and outstretched my hand for her to shake. What I expected was a handshake, but instead, Hazel walked around the receptionist desk and pulled me into her arms. It completely took me by surprise, but I managed to return her hug just before she could pull away.

"You are gorgeous," Hazel complimented. Her words spread warmth throughout my heart. It wasn’t something I heard a lot, but it felt so comforting coming from someone’s lips.

"Thank you. You're absolutely stunning," I pointed out.

"Sorry to break this up, but we have to go. We are almost late and my boss doesn't favor tardiness," my dad announced abruptly.

I sent one last smile to Hazel before following my father to the elevator where we rode up to the highest level. His boss called him out of nowhere and requested for the both of us to see him. Tingles were pricking and prying at my skin. When I caught a glimpse of my father, I could see the bit of perspiration coating his forehead. The strange request probably worried my dad, and as exciting as it was to see Mr. Mariano, it began to worry me too.

The elevator doors pulled apart, leaving me to gape at the spacious office. Two black couches sat perched in the middle of the floor with a small coffee table separating them. I could see the long wall of bookshelves that probably housed every story told in the world. There was even a bar that was illuminated by light in the corner. My neck had to crane up to see the elegant chandelier peering over a huge mahogany desk. It wasn't until I gazed at the cleanliness of the surface that I saw the beautiful man sitting behind it.

His intense blue eyes pierced into my own. His stare helped distract me from the plumpness of his full pink lips. I was entranced by not only the way his wild eyebrows managed to tame themselves into the perfect shape but the silk of his black hair that rested atop his head. My favorite part was the strand that fell in front of his face, just begging me to touch it—teaseit. Beautiful was no longer an accurate term to describe him, Emanuel Mariano was devilishly good-looking and it burned me so good to the point I wanted more.

"Jason,” the gorgeous man greeted behind a small smile, turning to look at my father.

I watched him stand up from behind his desk while buttoning the last button to his suit. Every step he took towards my father was majestic. He held a power to him that radiated from his body elegantly. It was hard not to stare and observe every flex of his muscle.

"You remember Christina, right?” Dad questioned. With those words, he looked to me, holding an icy gaze. Everything in my mind told me to look away. His intimidation was too much for me to handle. Every whisper of logic was pushed away by my deepest desires as my eyes stayed rooted to his.

"Yes, I do," he chuckled. He held an accent to his words. I was engaged with the sound of him as itreekedwith a promise of naughtiness. Itreekedwith a promise of sin. He easily made the hairs on my body stand at attention to compliment the goosebumps dancing around my skin.

For a moment, I could almost see his eyes trail down my body. If I was correct, he was tracing my every curve and didn't bother to hide it. It was fascinating,boldeven. My father was only a mere few inches away, yet he was checking me out as if every piece of my body was his.

He cleared his throat. "Have a seat.”

I followed behind my father as we walked past his boss. When I glanced behind me, I could've sworn I caught Emanuel Mariano staring at my backside. I must admit, he was a slick man. Both times that I caught him looking in places that were most prohibited, it would be easy to second-guess if that were truly what I saw. He had a great way of feigning innocence, but he wasn't good enough to go unnoticed by me. I knew what kind of man he was behind that suit and innocent smile, he was full of sins.

Sitting down on the leather couch, I began to focus on things that I typically wouldn't focus on. I wanted to make sure my posture was perfect and the way I crossed my leg over the other was pleasing.

My father's boss walked over to his desk where he sat down at the edge of it. His arms were crossed over his chest and his steady eyes were fighting so hard to keep away from me.

“I want to offer you something huge. Not only will you be getting a raise, but I would like to offer you the job of becoming my CFO—Chief Financial Officer. Our previous CFO has retired and I need someone new. Someone who shows up every day and who has worked hard and proved themselves to be an excellent employee. So, Jason, I chose you,” Mr. Mariano stated, with a smooth smile swaying on his lips.

My father's grin grew wide on his face. I could tell that he wanted to break out in celebration. There was no doubt his feet were itching to dance and his lips were fighting to sing. His smile was so contagious to the point that it replicated on my own lips.

"Thank you, truly, for everything," I smiled.

Mr. Mariano’s eyes grew darker as he watched my teeth softly sink down onto my bottom lip. I quickly released my teeth, leaving my lip to pop back into place. He made sure to watch every movement.

"My pleasure," he muttered before clearing his throat. “Jason, If you would like, you can begin clearing your desk and moving into your new office.”

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